Thursday, 31 December 2015

As every year I tested a large range of outdoor gear for The
Great Outdoors magazine in 2015 (you can see my 2014 choices here). These are
the items that impressed me most. Again as always this doesn’t mean they
replace old favourites but they are products that I’ll go on using. So, in no
particular order, here we go….

Jottnar Hymir
Neoshell Smock

Lightweight (350 grams) and compact this waterproof top is
ideal for long trips. Being made from Neoshell it’s very breathable and the
design is functional with an excellent hood with wired peak and a mapsize chest
pocket. I’ve used it in torrential rain and daylong drizzle and it’s proved
very comfortable.

PHD Elite Racer

Truly ultralight this sleeping bag weighs an astonishingly
low

247 grams. The shell fabric is very thin but still wind resistant and
downproof. There’s no zip but there is a hood and a shaped foot. It’s filled
with 950 fill power down and is rated to +12°C. At +3° I was warm wearing just light
clothing in it (thin base layers, very thin insulated top, medium weight wool
socks). For summer backpacking this is a tremendous bag. The rest of the year
it could be used as a liner in another bag.

Hilleberg Enan

The Akto has been one of my favourite tents for two decades
now. However there are now quite a few good alternatives that weigh less. The
Enan is Hilleberg’s own one of these. It weighs 1.1kg but has the same inner
and porch size as the Akto. Ventilation is actually better than with the Akto
due to two large mesh panels at each end.

Jetboil MiniMo

The MiniMo is the first integrated stove/pot/heat exchanger
unit that I’ve really liked as it’s the first with a wide rather than tall pot,
which makes it more stable and easier to use for cooking and eating. In fact I
was so impressed with the MiniMo that I ended up using it on almost all my 2015
camping trips.

Sherpa Nangpala

Insulated with Primaloft Gold Down Blend, a mix of 70%
water-repellent down and 30% Primaloft, this warm jacket is water-resistant,
quick drying and breathable. It weighs 444 grams and packs up small. There’s a
warm hood and handwarmer pockets.

Berghaus VapourLight
Hypertherm Hood

At just 224 grams this insulated jacket is amazingly warm.
It has a hood and handwarmer pockets and is great for three-season conditions
or combined with another warm top in freezing weather. The shell fabric is
windproof so it can be worn as a mid or outer layer.

Nigor Wickiup 3

Amongst many products I was sad to see disappear with the
demise of GoLite the Shangri-La 3 pyramid tent was especially missed. The Wickiup 3 is a more
than adequate replacement however. It’s the same shape and size as the SL3 but
has more guyline attachment points and is made of lighter fabric. I mostly use
the flysheet with just a groundsheet, a unit that weighs 1.3kg.

Nigor Zero G

The Zero G is another Nigor product that resembles an old
GoLite one, in this case the popular Jam pack. The Zero G is made from the same
tough Dyneema fabric and has the same big rear pocket. It’s more comfortable
with heavier loads though as it has an internal frame and a thicker hipbelt. The
capacity is 53 litres and it weighs 1.1kg. I found it comfortable and stable
and ideal for summer backpacking.Mountain Laurel
Designs Exodus Light Suspension Upgrade

The Exodus was one of my 2014 favourite new items of gear.
This new version is designed to carry more weight (14kg rather than 11kg) and
has an inflatable frame and a slightly larger and more padded hipbelt. I found
it fine with loads up to 16kg. The total weight is 652 grams, making this a
real ultralight pack.

Hoka One One Tor Ultra

These unusual-looking boots have a very thick midsole that
provides great cushioning. The leather/nylon uppers have an eVent lining. I
find these boots very comfortable and quite warm – I’ve worn them in the snow.

Osprey Atmos AG 65

For heavy loads where comfort and support is more important
than the weight of the empty pack the 2.25kg Atmos AG 65 is superb. It has a
frame and a tensioned back and hipbelt. The latter wraps itself round you to
really take the weight off your shoulders. As well as very comfortable this
pack is also capacious and stable.

Fjallraven Keb
Eco-Shell Jacket

The chemicals used for DWR treatments on waterproof jackets
have been found to be harmful to the environment. With this jacket Fjallraven
has used a different eco-friendly treatment and also recycled polyester. The
design is good too with a wired hood and large chest pockets. I’ve used the
jacket in heavy rain and found it comfortable and breathable.

Sea to Summit
Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Mat

Sea to Summit mats have an unusual dimpled appearance as the
air chambers are small and circular rather than the usual long tubes. These
chambers deform individually when weighted to conform to your body. The
Ultralight Insulated version weighs 462 grams and has synthetic insulation
inside. There’s also an innovative valve that makes inflating and deflating the
mat easy.

Rab Paradox Pull-On

Designed as a midlayer this insulated top is very breathable
as the shell fabric isn’t windproof. That makes it very comfortable to wear
under a waterproof jacket. The filling is Polartec Alpha which, like the shell,
is very soft. The Paradox weighs 360 grams.

PHD WaferLite

Down clothing has become lighter in recent years but this
vest is just ridiculous as it only weighs 84 grams. It’s still warmer than a
midweight fleece though. Packed size is minute of course. I find it very
comfortable and at this weight and size it need never be left at home.

This year my first hill walk, back in early January, was up Meall a' Bhuachaille above Glenmore in the Cairngorms (see this post ). Now it looks like the last hill walk of the year will also be Meall a' Bhuachaille, an ascent seized on a day of fine weather in a run of storms. After two days of Xmas cheer on December 27th three of us set off on a cold crisp sunny day, crunching through the thin snow on the track through Ryvoan Pass, pausing to look down on Lochan Uaine, the water green and calm, the temperatures not low enough for any touch of ice.

Once we left Ryvoan Bothy and began the real climbing the snow deepened and the wind picked up. In the low sun the Cairngorms were shining. The sky was a deep alpine blue. As we climbed the strenthening wind became bitterly cold. This was a real winter's day. Harsh cries signalled two ravens crossing the hills high above. The snow was criss-crossed with hare tracks along with a few made by ptarmigan or grouse.

Carn Bheadhair from the ascent of Meall a' Bhuachaille

From the summit a white world spread all around. To the south and the west clouds were building and there were hints of colour from the soon to set sun. Loch Morlich was a shining diamond in the dark of the forest. A peregrine falcon crossed above us, beating its wings as it fought the summit winds then disappearing in a long sickle-shaped glide. A magnificent sight and one I've never seen on this hill before.

Loch Morlich

Others were about, unsusprising on a fine Sunday after Xmas, and parties went past in both directions. Those coming from the west, our initial descent route, had snow-covered boots and gaiters, suggesting deeper snow that side of the hill. And so it was, with many deep drifts, some reaching to the thighs. The snow was cold and dry, soon brushed off, but unable to bear any weight.

Walkers descending towards Creagan Gorm

All too soon we were passing the first trees and then walking through the confines of the forest. A fine hill day to end the year was over.

Wednesday, 23 December 2015

The stormy weather of the last few weeks shows no sign of abating but a pattern has emerged in recent days. In the evening the wind picks up, the temperatures rise and rain starts to fall. Later in the night the air cools and there may be sleet or even snow. The morning continues stormy and then during the afternoon there's a lull and the skies almost clear and there are touches of sunshine before the next storm blasts in after dark. So it was today, the 23rd, with wet snow and sleet all morning, sticking on the hills and in sheltered spots lower down. Then came the afternoon quietness. We ventured out into the woods and fields, admiring the fresh snow up high and watching the almost-full moon rise through thin hazy clouds. The air was still chill but after dark it began to warm. In the snow this morning it was 1C, by 10pm it was 7C. The wind is rattling round the house now. The same pattern is forecast for tomorrow. Wild, wild weather.

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Having been asked for a winter backpacking kit list from someone about to visit the Highlands for wild camping later this month I thought I'd post one from an overnight trip in the Cairngorms a year ago. I wrote about that trip here. Many of these items were on test but the list is typical of the gear I take on winter trips.